Caves and Karst of the Upper Midwest, USA: Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the karst and pseudokarst of the Upper Midwest,USA,covering the geology,caves,springs,sinkholes,and hydrogeology of each state. It highlights the longest caves, discusses mining, agriculture, paleoclimate studies, and the history of caving organizations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 03 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate world of karst and pseudokarst in the Upper Midwest, USA, encompassing the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. It marks the first regional synthesis in 40 years, offering a comprehensive overview of the geological landscape. The book begins by providing a foundational understanding of the regional geology, which is primarily characterized by glaciated fluviokarst and paleokarst developed on Paleozoic carbonates. However, it also encompasses other lithologies like the St. Peter Sandstone and the Ft. Dodge Gypsum.

The subsequent chapters detail the caves, springs, sinkholes, and karst hydrogeology of each state, with a special emphasis on the regions longest caves: Coldwater Cave, Mystery Cave, and the Minnesota Cave Preserve caves. The application of innovative tools such as data loggers and LiDAR, coupled with new conceptual models like hypogenic speleogenesis, has been instrumental in advancing our knowledge of these underground wonders.

Special topics covered in this book include lead and zinc mining in the Driftless Area, the diverse vertebrate and invertebrate cave fauna near the Laurentide ice limit, the impact and policies of nutrient and herbicide-intensive modern agriculture on karst, and paleoclimate studies. The book also provides a historical account of the discovery, exploration, institutional history, and show caves of the Upper Midwest, dating back to the year 1700.

In addition, the top 10 historical paradigms of cave and karst science in the Midwest are reviewed, offering insights into the evolution of this field. Perspectives on paleontology, archeology, and Native American rock art are included, further enriching the reader's understanding of this captivating region.

This book is a valuable resource for researchers, students, and enthusiasts alike, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date exploration of the karst and pseudokarst of the Upper Midwest, USA.

Weight: 810g
Dimension: 279 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030546359
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021